The Home for Odd, Ugly and Neglected Toys

I have to admit, I get let down and frustrated sometimes by the incessant mashing-up of 80s properties by artists, designers and toy makers. Most of the time this approach comes across as lazy, but sometimes, a nod, a wink, a tribute or an homage to a nostalgic toy property like G. I. Joe, Masters of the Universe (MOTU), M.U.S.C.L.E. or whatever actually works.

I think I've found one of those rare cases. Behold – some of the most charming M.U.S.C.L.E. customs I've ever seen.

Zodak, Man-E-Faces, Moss Man, He-Man, Man-at-Arms and Ram Man

Tri-clops, Trap Jaw, Mer-Man, Skeletor, Beast Man and Faker

Prince Adam, Ninjor, Orko, Sy-clone

Clawful, Keldor, Hordak, Grizzlor

Fisto, Jitsu, Mekanek, Stinkor

Whiplash, ROboto, Snout Spout, Kobra Khan

Scareglow, King Randor, Tung Lashor, Leech

These awesome customs came from the toy customizer Rick Dries - aka "PlasticPlayhouse." (Check out more of his work and reach out to him on the Little Rubber Guys message board.)

Sure, they aren't "original." They are painted to resemble He-Man characters, but that is in fact the beauty of this project. Rick has taken minifigures we've all seen a million times over the past 20 years and selectively chosen them to be the basis for quick customization... reinterpreting them as other characters we know and love. Great.

These custom figures actually feel like some kind of alternate universe or "bizarro" interpretation of the MOTU license... like these are odd foreign versions or something.

Anyway, I just needed to share these, because they seemed to be an exception to the rule of the uninspired, 80s nostalgia mash-up. Am I wrong?

10 Responses

These are jaw-droppingly awesome. Absolutely awesome. I could see these being done as Star Wars… X-Men… so MANY different properties. I think the genuine fun of them is seeing what the artist has chosen for each identity. Like mini Rorschach tests. You see them and go: “Oh of COURSE that character is so-and-so”

These are really incredible. As you said, I’m not a big fan of the mash-up mentality, because I feel like a lot of times they’re done without any real thought put into them. But this isn’t just slapping a Pikachu tail on a Mario and calling it PokeMario Bros or something. This took a lot of time, effort, and appreciation for both franchises. Now if only Mattell would get on these. I’d love to have a little Trap Jaw sitting on my desk.

These are indeed nice, although I think where you are wrong is in saying custom mash ups are boring and uninspired. I came to this page to see this custom work and I found the writing to be boring and uninspired.

Kindred Spirits

Who is Weirdo Toys?

I’m Justin Gammon. I'm a designer/illustrator by day and toy-blogger by night. That'll explain my sporadic postings. What do you mean you want to write to me? That's odd. Hey, while you're at it, would you send me some cool toys? Thanks!